Library

[Flavor and Nature]
Pungent, warm, non-toxic. The medicinal property is half-floating and half-sinking. It can ascend and descend. It is Yin within Yang. Some say it is extremely pungent and hot, belonging to Yang within Yang.

[Indications]
Its functions are fourfold: it unblocks the Heart and assists Yang; eliminates deep-seated cold and stubborn chill in the Zang-Fu organs; disperses cold pathogenic factors from all meridians; and treats abdominal pain caused by cold invasion. Therefore, when there is a lack of Yang in the Kidney and the pulse Qi is about to vanish, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi, 附子) is used as a guide, forming the name Jiangfu Decoction (Ginger and Aconite Decoction). It also treats conditions of excessive cold pathogenic factors in the Middle Jiao. It can also tonify the Lower Jiao; thus, Sini Decoction (Four Reversal Decoction) uses it to treat interior cold syndromes, and Lizhong Decoction (Regulate the Middle Decoction) uses it to restore Yang Qi. Some claim that dried ginger is a herb that distributes the Qi of the Heart and Spleen, so it should be used to tonify insufficiency of Heart Qi and emptiness of the Spleen and Stomach. However, in Lizhong Decoction, its use is described as "draining" rather than "tonifying." Why is this? It is because its pungent and hot nature dries dampness and drains cold-damp pathogenic factors from the Spleen, not draining healthy Qi. Once the pathogen is removed, healthy Qi naturally rises; it suffices to mention only its draining efficacy. Alternatively, some warn that taking dried ginger to treat Middle Jiao disorders may cause it to overact upwards (invade upward improperly), which must be known. Why? Because dried ginger enters the Lung to benefit Lung Qi, enters the Kidney to dry lower dampness, enters the Liver Meridian to guide blood-invigorating herbs to generate blood, and when combined with Yin-tonifying herbs, can also guide blood herbs into the Qi level. However, warming the Lung must be harmonized with Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi, 五味子); warming the Stomach must be harmonized with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen, 人参); and generally, the sweet and moderating nature of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, 甘草) is used to restrain them, so as not to allow the vigorous fire to consume Qi excessively. Long-term consumption leads to dim vision. Pregnant women should not consume it, fearing it may cause dissipation of fetal essence. When stir-fried until blackened and turned to ash, it can guide blood herbs into the Blood level and Qi herbs into the Qi level, possessing other miraculous effects.

[Flavor and Nature]
Pungent, warm, astringent, non-toxic. Pure Yang and floating. Enters the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian.

[Indications]
For wind-cold external pathogens, it disperses stagnant Qi and benefits phlegm in the upper Diaphragm. If the body has been invaded by cold pathogens and cold food has been ingested, causing stomach cold and pain, using this herb acts like a drumstick striking a drum (immediate effect). If there is heat stagnation, it must not be used, for fear that accumulated warmth will transform into heat, causing harm due to excessiveness.

[Flavor and Nature]
Extremely warm, non-toxic. Light, clear, and ascending. Belongs to Yang, floating. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian.

[Indications]
It disperses stagnant Qi in the Lung, widens the Diaphragm to promote appetite, warms the Spleen and Stomach, treats abdominal pain from cold invasion, stops vomiting and retching, removes large red veins inside the eyes associated with the Taiyang Meridian. It possesses a pure and lofty Qi, and tonifies insufficiency of Yuan Qi in the Upper Jiao.